MBTA opens revamped Yawkey Station near Fenway Park

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick and other state officials earlier this week marked the debut of the new Yawkey Commuter Rail Station and the start of enhanced rail service on the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority's (MBTA) Framingham-Worcester Line.

The station, which serves Fenway Park and Longwood Medical area in Boston, was designed to accommodate increased service along the line and expand economic opportunity for each city and town along the route, MBTA officials said in a press release. Three inbound trains and four outbound trains have been added to the line's weekday schedule.

"The opening of Yawkey Station is the culmination of many years of cooperation and partnership to increase access to accessible, convenient and efficient public transportation between Worcester and Fenway," said Patrick.

The project entailed realigning tracks at the station to allow for double-track capacity. The station now features two fully accessible, full-length train platforms, four new elevators and an accessibility ramp. The main entrance is now on the new Yawkey Way Extension, which provides vehicular and pedestrian access off of Brookline Avenue through an area that had been used for parking during Boston Red Sox games.

Also attending Monday's ceremony was Massachusetts Department of Transportation Secretary and Chief Executive Officer Richard Davey and Boston Red Sox President and CEO Larry Lucchino.

"The renovated Yawkey Way Commuter Rail Station and the expanded Worcester-Framingham rail schedule will have a profound impact on many of our fans who use public transportation," said Lucchino.